Batik art is a resist method of dyeing and decorating fabric. A resist is anything that cannot allow dyes through. I use hot wax as my resist on cotton fabric. It's about patience which in the end is rewarded as the wax is removed and the masterpiece is revealed. This page shows this journey, my journey in batik. Enjoy

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The lion batik is already finished. This is commissioned work by a client in the US that took me weeks to finish. I used 5 pictures of lions from 4 wildlife magazines. It was quite a challenge getting these pictures together. First of all, four of the 5 pictures had scattered cubs and female lions but no male lion. I decided to construct 2 sketches that didn't have a male lion but on a closer look I realised that the painting will not be 'loud' without a male lion. The problem was that the only picture of a male lion that I could find was a head of about 2x1 inches and facing left. I thank God that I was able to turn the head facing left into a lion standing and facing right with the whole family and bringing the scattered family t…

I am currently working on a lion batik job. This is one of a few jobs that I reach a stage where I have little or no idea how to proceed. I have to bring out all the batiking knowledge I've accumulated over the years and to ask for God's grace to be able to continue.

THE STORYThis batik was inspired by Kalerwe market, one of the busiest fresh crop markets that are dotted around Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. I spent over 7 years passing this market on my way to school and I can now appreciate the influence this place has had on my work. This influence is evident in the conversational appearance of my characters. Before you enter into the market, what you hear is one deafening noise but this is deceptive. As you go through the market, you begin to hear individual conversations mostly on bargaining and gossiping, everyone is talking to another. I always strive to portray these interesting scenarios in my batik art.

About Me

I discovered batik in secondary school after seeing a man drying colorful African women drawings done on fabric near our school. I discovered that before hanging his wet pictures on the line, he could heat something on a charcoal stove (wax). A lot of smoke came off it as he dipped a brush in it. His hand kept on moving at an incredible speed to and from the heated liquid to the white fabric on the table. I decided to visit him about learning how to paint. He chased me away saying if he teaches me, I will copy his style. After several failed attempts to let me learn, I decided to put into practice the few things I had seen him doing. That is how I started batik since then in 1997.
I work from my house located 15kms outside Kampala, Uganda's capital city. I have done many exhibitions in Uganda and around the world. I also teach batik to children above 10years and adults.I'm inspired by nature, I love butterflies, birds and trees. I did a lot of drawing during childhood in the dust using sticks. I could spend many hours in the dust alone as my siblings played games. I thank God for the people who have supported and continue to support me in this long batik journey.